Text © World of Showjumping

Saturday's biggest win in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, where the 2024-edition of the Sunshine Tour got underway this week, went to the Netherland's Frank Schuttert and the 13-year-old Gream (Verdi TN x Ultimo). 

Counting for the Longines Ranking Group D, the CSI4* 1.50m competition against the clock – also a qualifier for Sunday's Grand Prix – saw 76 horse-and-rider-combinations line up and 18 pairs cleared the course set by Javier Trenor (ESP). With a time of 62.39, Schuttert and Gream were the quickest of them all, taking the win ahead of Giulia Martinengo Marquet (ITA) and the 11-year-old Coynor (Canstakko x Toulon) in second in 63.91. Sanne Thijssen (NED) and her faithful 18-year-old Con Quidam RB (Quinar Z x Cardino) placed third in 64.77, while Matthew Sampson (GBR) and Concare PS (Conthargos x Cornet Obolensky) finished fourth in 65.90, followed by Jérôme Guery aboard Careca LS Elite (Carusso La Silla x Rebozo La Silla) in fifth in 66.01. 

Saturday's second Longines Ranking class, a 1.45m in two phases counting for the Longines Ranking Group D, went to Germany's Kendra Claricia Brinkop and the 12-year-old Ma Belle (Ugano Sitte x Bayard d'Elle). Stopping the clock on 25.50 in the second phase, Brinkop and Ma Belle took the win ahead of El Ghali Boukaa (MAR) and Ugolino du Clos (L'Arc de Triomphe x Roi des Elfes) in second in 25.55. Kara Chad (CAN) and Easy Boy d'Aubey Z (Emerald x Rubels) placed third in 25.82, while Penelope Leprevost (FRA) and Djagger Semilly (Diamant de Semilly x Apache d'Adriers) finished fourth in 25.90 and Daniel Deusser (GER) fifth in 26.30 aboard Loui LN (Kannan x Cartani).

3500 horses and more than 2000 riders from 60 different nations have been entered to compete at the traditional venue at Montenmedio for this year's tour. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the 2024-edition of the tour offers more than 2.5 million Euros in prize money throughout 550 classes in the coming seven weeks, including 35 FEI Longines Ranking classes and six Olympic qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games.